Roman Shades 101 — A Guide on Custom Shade Treatments

By Chelsea Laspada of Casa de Laspada

Considering roman shades for your space and don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place! As a designer with experience creating timeless and unique spaces for residential clients, I am a big fan of roman shades and the style, functionality, and sophistication they bring to a home. You’ll often see these window treatments in curated magazines, design books, your favorite Pinterest inspiration, and more. They are versatile, stylish, and functional and add the perfect balance of softness and structure to any space. 

With so many specifications and options to choose from, this guide will help you navigate narrowing down the perfect choice for your style and home! 

Pictured: Liz Linen Cordless Roman Shades in Sand Beige (1908-3)

Understand the Different Styles

Step one when choosing your perfect roman shades is understanding the different styles. Flat roman shades are modern and sleek whereas relaxed roman shades offer a more casual, soft look. Flat shades have more clean lines and relaxed shades offer a more informal, curved look. Identify what the ideal style would be for the mood of each room and use your preferred style as a blueprint when choosing materials and color! 

Pictured: Jawara Linen Cotton Motorized Roman Shade in Oatmeal (J401-3)

Fabric, Color, and Shade Lining

Here is where things get really fun — getting to make your shades uniquely you with texture and color! There are a lot of options to choose from, but don’t let that overwhelm you. Let the surrounding space inform the personality your shades will have.

Fabrics like linen provide a more casual, organic feel, where heavier materials like bamboo can provide more structure and insulation. There is no wrong answer so be sure to order some swatches and explore options in your home.

Same goes for color — there are all kinds of variations of colors and patterns that can make your shades come to life. Find a combination that you love that complements the texture and tone of the surrounding furniture and decor.

Lastly, lining is very important and should be considered in each space you install roman shades.

• A bedroom, for example, would likely require blackout shades to block light from coming in during sleeping hours,
  

• but a kitchen or dining space could allow more light-filtering options.
  

Consider privacy and function, and always confirm your picks with swatches and holding them up in the desired location different times throughout the day to see how they work with the changing light.

Pictured: Jawara Linen Cotton Motorized Roman Shade in Oatmeal (J401-3)

Measure and Mount with Intention

There are several ways that roman shades can be mounted, and depending on which direction you go, it can change the look and require different tools and installation:

• Inside mount, which aligns within the surrounding moulding of your window, requires more precise measurements in order to achieve a more polished, architectural look.
  

• Outside mount, where the valance is installed outside of the window moulding, is more forgiving with measurements and creates a more casual vibe while making windows feel larger.
  

Also consider length — roman shades should hit right at the bottom of the windowsill for best function. Make sure to measure, measure, and measure again to be sure your calculations are accurate before ordering anything custom!

Pictured: Jawara Linen Cotton Motorized Roman Shade in Oatmeal (J401-3)

Final Touches

The final consideration is around the function of how the shades open and close. There are numerous options (corded, cordless, motorized) and depending on the type of daily use these shades endure, choosing the right mechanism is important. I personally love recommending motorized shades to clients (and have them myself as well!) since they are incredibly easy to use, allow for precise customization of where the shade hits on the window, and make a home feel more high tech and futuristic. 

Pictured: Multi-channel remote for motorized roman shades

Roman shades are an excellent, timeless, and affordable option to make your windows feel finished and complete in your home. No matter your function, style, or budget, there are many options to choose from to complement your home!

ABOUT WRITER